South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton

South Yorkshire Chief Constable David Crompton has admitted making a mistake when telling MPs that there had been 104 convictions for child sexual exploitation in South Yorkshire since the start of 2013.

He quoted the figure when facing questions about the Rotherham child sex abuse scandal from the Home Affairs Select Committee in London.

But on his return to South Yorkshire after the grilling he admitted the figure was incorrect.

A force spokeswoman said: “The Chief Constable said in the Home Affairs Select Committee hearing that 104 people have been convicted for child sexual exploitation offences since 2013. This was a genuine mistake. 104 people have been prosecuted - charged or summonsed.

“He will contact the Home Affairs Select Committee to provide clarity on this.”

The force said there are currently 173 live investigations into child sexual exploitation underway in South Yorkshire, 48 of which relate to Rotherham.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has called on the Government to commit to additional funding for child protection services, both in Rotherham and nationally.